During last night’s State of the
Union address, President Obama spoke of the need to maintain the
nation’s competitive position in the world and to encourage innovation.
While we wholeheartedly agree with the President’s focus on competition
and innovation, unfortunately our outdated patent laws inhibit the
innovation they’re supposed to promote – especially in the tech sector.
The patent system dates back to the founding of our country, and
contemplated simpler inventions that lacked the hundreds of
interoperable components found in the Blackberries and smart phones
that some members of Congress Twittered from during the speech. The
last comprehensive revision of U.S. patent law took place in 1952 –
light years away from where we are today on technology issues.
The current patent system has come under increasing pressure as the
technological revolution transforms our way of life and business. It is
past time for the patent system to catch up with the 21st Century
high-tech economy. Obama’s campaign material noted that, “a system that
produces timely, high-quality patents is essential for global
competitiveness in the 21st century. By improving predictability and
clarity in our patent system, we will help foster an environment that
encourages innovation.” So we trust the administration sees patent
reform as an innovation issue even though it didn’t make it into the
address.
The speech was more general in its focus on jobs without giving too
many specifics on creating those jobs. We hope as members of Congress
respond to both his call to pass policies that will produce jobs and to
find ways to work together, that patent reform will emerge as an issue
that has bipartisan support and can deliver the economic boost the
nation needs. If Congress can bring patent reform legislation to a vote
this year, it will help rebalance, strengthen and enhance the patent
system and enable cutting-edge innovation to continue to drive the U.S.
knowledge-based economy.
